Stewart's Melville 29

Peebles 13

Allan Beveridge at Inverleith

PEEBLES crashed out of the BT National Cup after a disastrous quarter hour at Inverleith.

The Pees had been good for their six point advantage as half time approached.

But it all went wrong for the Gytes team around the interval.

With Peebles 0-6 up, thanks to two penalties from Greg Raeburn, the forwards were winning plenty of ball and the opportunities to score tries were being created.

Scott Stoddart took play well inside the home 22 before his support players were penalised at the ruck.

And some good inter passing between Ross Brown, Richard Harrison and David Wills led to Peebles playing their way to within 10 metres of the line.

A five metre scrum for Peebles was also lost and cleared.

But as the game progressed it became obvious that the city three-quarters were dangerous.

In the 35th minutes Murray Brown was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on inside his own 22.

A kick to the corner led to a good riving maul from the home team and the opening try.

The conversion was wide but Stew-Mel were within a point at the break.

In the first minute of the second period, with Peebles still down to 14 men, the city team scored a fine try.

Their number 18 broke through the Peebles defence and scored under the post from 40 metres.

They quickly added a third try when their full back showed a clean pair of heels to beat the Peebles defence and score from half way.

The successful conversion made the score 19-6.

The city team added another two tries both scored by their left winger before Roddy Guiney touched down a consolation try converted by Murray Johnston to make the final score 29 - 13.

The was a disappointing end after an enterprising first 20 minutes, but in the end it was the pace and the handling of the city backs which put this game beyond Peebles.

The next 1st XV game is not now until March 3 when Peebles entertain Dumfries at The Gytes.